The setting is the same (India and Yorkshire), many of the characters are the same (Mary, Martha, Colin, Mrs. Medlock, Dickon, Archibald, and Ben), and the musical retains premise of a sickly boy who becomes well and a spoiled girl who learns selflessness. However, the musical focuses equally on the story of Archibald and his dead wife, Lily. The musical adds the character of Neville, Archibald's brother. The musical also adds the numerous "ghosts" of Mary's past in India. In short, the musical is as much about Archibald and Neville as it is about Mary and Colin.